Social Influences and the Physical Activity Intentions of Parents of Young-Children Families: An Extended Theory of Planned Behavior Approach

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Evidence within Australia and internationally suggests parenthood as a risk factor for inactivity; however, research into understanding parental physical activity is scarce. Given that active parents can create active families and social factors are important for parents' decision making, we investigated a range of social influences on parents' intentions to be physically active. Parents (N = 580; 288 mothers and 292 fathers) of children younger than 5 years completed an extended Theory of Planned Behavior questionnaire either on-line or paper-based. For both sexes, attitude, control factors, group norms, friend general ...View more >Evidence within Australia and internationally suggests parenthood as a risk factor for inactivity; however, research into understanding parental physical activity is scarce. Given that active parents can create active families and social factors are important for parents' decision making, we investigated a range of social influences on parents' intentions to be physically active. Parents (N = 580; 288 mothers and 292 fathers) of children younger than 5 years completed an extended Theory of Planned Behavior questionnaire either on-line or paper-based. For both sexes, attitude, control factors, group norms, friend general support, and an active parent identity predicted intentions, with social pressure and family support further predicting mothers' intentions and active others further predicting fathers' intentions. Attention to these factors and those specific to the sexes may improve parents' intentions to be physically active, thus maximising the benefits to their own health and the healthy lifestyle practices for other family members.View less >